The highs – and one low – of Etape Caledonia

Ten years on and the Etape Caledonia is still attracting thousands of cyclists to Highland Perthshire to cycle on some of the best roads in UK.

It’s easy to see why.

Many people focus on the climb of Schiehallion as the main challenge of the event, but there are plenty of other climbs and fantastic sections of note.

Here are a few of my favourite sections (and one bit I hate) of the route.

The Queen’s View Climb

Only 6.5 miles into the route and this little climb catches many riders napping. It’s not long, less than half a mile and it’s not steep, but for those not expecting to use their climbing legs until they reach Schiehallion it can be a bit of a shock to the system. It is a lovely little climb up through the trees with a few winding corners that summits at the Queen’s View. If you have time it is worth stopping here to take in the view across Loch Tummel and over to Schiehallion.

Loch Rannoch

This section is 20 miles into the route and 20 miles long. It can be a bit of a “Marmite” moment for many. It’s virtually flat and if you are in a group that is working well together you can “motor” around here at a great pace. If you are alone then it can be torture, especially on the north side of the loch. Often a westerly wind is blowing through Rannoch Moor and directly into the path of the riders. It’s demoralising and inexplicably never seems to turn to a tail wind on the return leg on the south side of the loch.

The descent from Schiehallion down Glen Goulandie

What more do you want? It’s downhill, it’s fast and it’s very technical at the bottom. 51 miles in this four mile descent takes a mile or so to really get going and a false-flat near the beginning can take away some of your momentum, but as it steepens the corners start to tighten and you can let the bike swoop down to Coshieville with a big grin on your face.

The Fortingall Loop

This is it – the only bit of the route I don’t like. To be fair it is actually a lovely road to ride at any other time as the narrow strip of tarmac winds its way through the ancient hamlet of Fortingall, but this 10 mile loop comes at 55 miles into the course and by now the legs are tiring a little. As you turn right to Fortingall it is possible to look half a mile up the road you are leaving to see riders re-joining the main Aberfeldy road. It’s mentally demoralising, especially when you are usually turning into a head wind again that is being funnelled down through Glen Lyon.

Strathtay

I love Strathtay. The section from Weem to Pitnacree takes you along 6 miles of some of the most pleasant roads in the area. There are no big climbs and the rolling roads mean you can nip along at a fair pace aided, usually, by a tail-wind.

Mains of Killichangie

Just when you thought you were home and dry with only four miles to go this beast of a climb rears out above you. It’s not long, but it is often the final nail in the coffin for riders who have shredded their legs in the previous 77 miles. It is easy to imagine riders sitting on the verge in tears, writing letters home to their mum telling them that they had tried their hardest, but they were defeated at this final hurdle. Okay, that may be a bit melodramatic, but it is not uncommon to see riders wearing out their carbon-fibre soles cycling shoes as they push up this last climb. The best bit – once you are at the top, you can see Pitlochry.

The Etape Caledonia is a fantastic event and holds challenges for riders of all abilities. If you have never ridden it before, then it needs to be on your “must-do” list. If you are curious as to what it’s all about then get along to spectate. The top of Schiehallion (accessed via the Foss road along Loch Tummel) and Logierait are two great vantage points.

For those riding next week, good luck and have fun.